Fracture reducing and joint immobilizing apparatus

Abstract

The apparatus includes upper and lower pin holder assemblies of ring-like configuration which may be opened for application to the limb. Each pin holder assembly includes opposed wall structures within which bone penetrating pins are secured to firmly attach each pin holder assembly to the bone segment. Elongate connector assemblies extend between the upper and lower pin holder assemblies with each of the connector assemblies including spherical coupling components which permit adjustment of the pin holder assemblies in a universal manner. Each connector assembly includes nut elements which dually serve to position an intermediate spherical component along the connector shaft for locked engagement with the ring structure of a pin holder assembly.

Having thus described the invention what is desired and claimed to be secured under a Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. An orthopedic apparatus for the reduction and immobilizing of the distal end segments of a fractured bone, said apparatus comprising, first and second pin holder assemblies each including pairs of pin receiving apertured wall structures, said assemblies adapted for disposition about a limb above and below the fracture site,   pin means adapted for penetration of the bone segments and supported by at least one of the wall structures of said pair of wall structures of the first and second pin holder assemblies, and   elongate connector assemblies coupling said pin holder assemblies in adjustable spaced relationship, said connector assemblies each including a threaded shaft, pairs of axially adjustable elements thereon, ball and sleeve components disposed intermediate each of said pair of elements, clamping members carried by and spaced about on each of said pin holder assemblies for universal adjustable and clamping engagement with said ball and sleeve components, said axially adjustable elements operable upon axial repositioning to move a ball and sleeve component and thereby enable incremental varying of the spaced relationship between said pin holder assemblies, momentary release of said clamping members permitting alignment of the fracture ends by manual positioning of said pin holder assemblies, said axially adjustable elements thereafter adapted for advancement of a pin holder assembly and subsequent locked engagement with an intermediate ball and sleeve component for retention of the fracture ends in compression.   
     
     
       2. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin holder assemblies each comprise a closed ring structure, said closed ring structures each defining a pair of recesses for the inserted installation of said wall structures. 
     
     
       3. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said ring structures additionally define recesses on their upper and lower surfaces to permit the installation of said wall structures on both upper and lower sides of a ring structure. 
     
     
       4. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve has an irregular surface thereon to assure ball and sleeve integrity. 
     
     
       5. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin means includes a surgical pin fastener assembly insertable within one of said wall apertures and securing the pin end to the wall structure, said fastener assembly including a socket member, pin engaging collet means within said socket member, a compression member carried by said socket member and adapted for biasing engagement with said collet means to lockably engage the latter with said surgical pin. 
     
     
       6. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said socket member and said compression member define conical openings of a size to admit entry of a surgical pin having an axis offset to the major axis of said fastener assembly. 
     
     
       7. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 6 wherein said collet means is of spherical configuration. 
     
     
       8. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin means includes a surgical pin fastener assembly including a threaded fitting for installation within a wall aperture, said fitting defining a central bore and having a conical wall at its inwardly disposed end for the reception and guidance of a surgical pin end, said fitting additionally including a set screw for locking engagement with the surgical pin. 
     
     
       9. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin means includes a surgical pin, an externally threaded pin fastener defining an internal bore for reception of a pin end segment, said fastener having tool receiving surfaces thereon and being of the collet type slotted in a lengthwise direction and adapted for frictional engagement with a pin end segment upon advancement of said fastener into an aperture in one of said wall structures. 
     
     
       10. The orthopedic apparatus claimed in claim 1 additionally including an alignment aid of bow configuration having ends adapted for temporary engagement with aligned apertures in the wall structures of a pin holder assembly, said ends axially guiding s surgical pin being installed.